Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has withdrawn from the Argentina national team squad due to synovitis in his right knee and will miss the team's upcoming friendly against Puerto Rico.

The 24-year-old midfielder started Argentina's 1-0 friendly win over Venezuela and was substituted in the 78th minute. After the match, the Argentine national team confirmed that Fernandez had synovial swelling in his right knee and released a photo of him with a bandage on his knee.

Fernandes will undergo further examinations by Chelsea's medical team upon his return to London to assess the severity of the injury. If his recovery is not satisfactory, he may miss the next few club matches.

Chelsea plan to play Nottingham Forest away after the international break on October 18, followed by home games against Ajax and Sunderland. Fernandes aims to be fit enough to return to the team by then.

Since the start of the 2025-26 season, Fernandes has started all ten of Chelsea's official matches, including the League Cup match against League One side Lincoln City. He has performed consistently in the Premier League, contributing three goals and one assist.

However, this injury could further exacerbate Chelsea's squad crisis, as they still have several midfielders injured, including Cole Palmer, who is out until November with a groin injury, and summer signing Dario Essougo, who is not expected to return until 2026 after thigh surgery.